As the world plunged into the cataclysmic events of World War I and World War II, nations mobilized their armies, drafted their citizens, and engaged in brutal conflicts. Amidst the chaos, another group of warriors emerged—mercenaries. Mercenaries, often referred to as soldiers of fortune or hired guns, are individuals who offer their combat skills and services in exchange for payment. Historically, they have played significant roles in warfare, and both World War I and World War II witnessed their involvement, although to different extents.
Lafayette Escadrille, also known as C’est la Guerre, Hell Bent for Glory (UK) and With You in My Arms, is a 1958 American war film produced by Warner Bros. It stars Tab Hunter and Etchika Choureau and features David Janssen and Will Hutchins, as well as Clint Eastwood, in an early supporting role.
During World War I, numerous mercenary units were formed to bolster the ranks of various nations. One group was the Lafayette Escadrille (American volunteer pilots who flew for France). These units were driven by various motivations, including idealism, financial gain, and a desire for adventure. During its illustrious history with the French Aviation Service, the Escadrille Lafayette had served on practically every battle front in France, had downed 57 enemy aircraft and had nine of its pilots killed. The men who enlisted with the French risked losing American citizenship, but they wanted to partake in the “great adventure” and join what they felt was a just cause.
Lafayette Escadrille
In April 1916, a group of American pilots officially formed the Lafayette Escadrille, named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, the French aristocrat who played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. The squadron consisted of around 38 pilots and ground crew, all united by their determination to aid the Allied cause. The Lafayette Escadrille quickly distinguished itself on the war-torn Western Front. Flying Nieuport and later Spad aircraft, the squadron engaged in daring aerial combat against the formidable German forces.
Former Air Force Chief of Staff General T. Michael “Buzz” Moseley calls them “the founding fathers of American combat aviation,” yet few Americans know their names. The 38 pilots of the Lafayette Escadrille, who flew for France beginning in 1916, before the United States entered World War I, created a culture that influences combat pilots today, Moseley says. They helped shape the U.S. Army Air Service when it was formed in 1918. “All the way up to the Army Air Forces and the U.S. Air Force,” says Moseley. “Having thought about this a lot and having lived inside that world for 40 years, I would say [Air Force culture] goes right back to those guys who decided in the spring of ’16 that this would be a good idea.”
Their missions ranged from reconnaissance and artillery spotting to engaging enemy aircraft in thrilling dogfights. The pilots of the Lafayette Escadrille displayed extraordinary bravery and skill in the face of danger. With their lives constantly at risk, they battled against the odds to protect the skies and contribute to the Allied war effort. Their audacious exploits and camaraderie forged bonds that would last a lifetime. Several members of the Lafayette Escadrille achieved remarkable success in the skies. These fearless aviators, known as “aces,” shot down multiple enemy planes, earning fame and admiration. Among them were Raoul Lufbery, Charles Nungesser, and Georges Thenault, who all became legendary figures in the realm of aerial combat. The fame of the LE grew when they served at Verdun, flying two patrols each day. In 1928, the French government, bolstered by private funding, built the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial to honor all LFC pilots in Marnes-la-Coquette, France.
